Science project idea on how a match is lighted.
How a Match is Lighted
Explain what you usually do to light a match. Can you light a match without rubbing it over a somewhat rough surface? What do you think was the reason for rubbing the match over a rough surface? Can you light a piece of wood in the same way that the match was lighted? Compare the head of the match with the wooden stick as to the ease of starting it to burn. What then is the reason for the head of the match? Since the head of the match starts to burn at a much lower temperature than wood, it is said to have a lower kindling temperature. How would you define kindling temperature?
The head of the ordinary parlor or friction match is usually a mixture of (1) phosphorus and a substance which readily gives out oxygen, (2) some ground glass to increase friction, (3) glue, and (4) coloring matter. The stick is dipped into paraffin before the head is put on. You can now give the steps in the lighting of a match. What does the rubbing or scratching of it on a rough surface do? What is the effect of the burning of the phosphorus upon the paraffin? What is the effect of the burning of the paraffin upon the wood of the match stick? The flame is caused by the burning of the gases which are given off when the wood is highly heated. Since ordinary friction matches are a great source of danger from fire, efforts have been made to produce a match that is less dangerous. One method has been to coat the sides of the head with a substance that has a relatively high kindling temperature. The "birds-eye" matches are of this type. To lessen the danger from fire, the "safety" match also has been invented. You are all familiar with the matches which will not usually light unless scratched upon a special striking surface. The heads of these matches contain a substance which gives out oxygen when heated but contains no phosphorus, the phosphorus mixture being in the striking surface on the side of the box.
You will notice that some match sticks do not continue to burn until the entire stick has burned up. This is because the sticks have been soaked in a liquid that hinders burning. Explain the great value of this. Formerly the manufacture of matches was a very dangerous occupation as the white or yellow phosphorus used poisoned the workers, especially affecting the jaw bones. The use of this form of phosphorus has now been prohibited in practically all civilized countries, and either red phosphorus or a compound of phosphorus and sulphur, both non- poisonous, is used in production of matches. Explain: (1) The lighting of a gas jet
(2) the starting and continued burning of a coal fire
(3) The difficulty of lighting a match when the wind is blowing.
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